San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre recently hosted a discussion on trans and gender nonconforming portrayal in theatre today. The event was sponsored by Transfamily Support Services, the Human Rights Campaign, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, the North County LGBT Resource Center, and Neutral Corner.

I distinctly remember the homophobic bullying I experienced as young person, starting in the 3rd grade, being connected to a narrative that the only future I had in front of me was one in which I contracted HIV, died of AIDS, and burn in hell for all eternity. I was nine years old.

Black trans artist Mila Jam opened up the event by singing the national anthem, while an honor guard comprised only of trans service members and veterans presented the colors. In front of the stage, transgender community members sat facing the audience holding signs with the names, faces, and ages of each of the trans people that had been murdered this year.